Aust Prescr
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Penicillin allergies are not always lifelong. Approximately 50% are lost over five years A reaction to penicillin during a childhood infection is unlikely to be a true allergy Only 1–2% of patients with a confirmed penicillin allergy have an allergy to cephalosporins. In patients with a low risk of severe allergic reactions, cephalosporins are a relatively safe treatment option Patients with a history of delayed non-severe reactions, such as mild childhood rashes that occurred over 10 years ago, may be suitable for an oral rechallenge with low-dose penicillin. This should be done in a supervised hospital environment In many cases, with appropriate assessment and allergy testing, it may be possible to remove the penicillin allergy label
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Any drug or substance with effects on the central nervous system can impair the ability to drive safely When prescribing, consider the effects of each drug on driving as well as the use of other substances. Advise the patient of the risks Opioids, benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, antipsychotics and sedating antidepressants increase the risk of crashing. Erratic use of sedatives causes a higher level of impairment than stable regimens Patients who have complex medical conditions and take multiple drugs should undergo a fitness-to-drive assessment